WRITING LETTERS OR OP-EDS: Letters of up to 200 words may be submitted by filling out the form at static.cincinnati.com/letter/ or emailing letters@enquirer.com. Include name, address, community and daytime phone number. Op-eds are submitted the same way except they should be 500-600 words and also include a one-sentence bio and headshot.

In contributor Allan Winkler’s article “Threats to Earth grow Intense” (Oct. 23), he concludes with a call for us to respond to the Trump’s dismantling of environmental protections before it’s too late. This raises the obvious question of, “Well, what can we do?”

Trump and EPA head Scott Pruitt seem to be making these choices — which will have long-term consequences — without oversight or input from the American people.

The environmentalists of the past inspired change by opening people’s eyes to the devastating exploitation of Earth’s resources happening around them; today, it’s hard to find that kind of voice. But when facing this kind of reality, there doesn't seem to be many other options than to try.

Lauren Godfrey, Maineville

Trump's lack of honor and integrity is troubling

With all due respect to Keith Maupin, a patriotic man, I would like to point out that it was not the wording of the phone call that bothered me; It was what occurred afterward. As I heard it reported, the president first denied his own wording, then coerced a four-star general and press secretary to back up his claim, then when that failed, the White House dredged up an old story about the community center in Florida to try to discredit the congresswoman.

That too was proven false, as well as the assertion that no other presidents had made such calls. So, to me the wording of the message is immaterial, it is the lack of honor and integrity after the fact that is troubling.

Lonnie Alexander, Sharonville

Society has become entirely too sensitive
Now, the Enquirer is apologizing for displaying the pictures of six individuals on the front page of the October 24 addition for "Income tax troubles." If someone felt it was insensitive or racist because these individuals happened to be black, I would question their bias towards those individuals or perhaps they were black themselves and felt we were degrading these individuals.

Give us a break. Our society has gone way overboard with the insensitivity card. Bottom line most people could have cared less, because I certainly didn't care if they were white, black, oriental, Hispanic, etc.. I just saw a person - end of story!

Mark Bollin, White Oak

Hey, Cincinnati! How about a Hard Rock Cafe?

This might sound trite, but if you really wanna put Cincinnati on the map then ask that a Hard Rock Cafe be built here. They are built around the world usually and in mega U.S. cities like Chicago. Miami, New York and Atlanta, also small towns that attract tourists like Pigeon Forge and Key West. Cincinnati has two pro teams here, a top five zoo, and Kings Island and other attractions 15 miles up I-71. There's a Hard Rock in Louisville and Indianapolis. City Council needs to get off its butt and contact the Seminole Tribe in Tampa, who owns the Hard Rock Cafes and give it a shot. They are not franchised. I'd hate to see one open on Newport on the Levee just because it's in the area. All they can say is no. Make the case to get a Hard Rock here or is Cincinnati just not cool enough?

Paul Garnder, Loveland

Thanks to Flake, Corker and McCain for standing up

Finally, in the persons of Sens. Jeff Flake, Bob Corker and John McCain, we have witnessed members of the president’s own party, who feel an obligation to speak out against the harmful words and actions coming from our executive branch of government.

They have reminded us that they are there to serve us, not just to be lackeys of the president. These public servants have warned us of the harm being done by those who do not care about facts or value truth. They have alerted us to the danger of pretending that the outrageous behavior we have witnessed is normal. Although we know that similar behavior has led to the downfall of other countries, we ignore the fact that our country will be irreparably harmed by these affronts to our values and attacks on basic human dignity. Somehow we must all take a stand for honesty and integrity and compassion; I thank Flake, Corker and McCain for giving us an example.

Connie Carroll Widmer, Westwood

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I am deeply concerned about the pension reform framework recently made public.

These proposals challenge the contract rights of members, lower the standard of living of employees now and in retirement, and will worsen the cash-flow crisis in the state employee pension plan.

A state Supreme Court justice recently questioned the legality of freezing participation in the judicial pension plan at 27 years. We share the same concern for Kentucky Retirement Systems members whose benefits also are covered by an inviolable contract. The framework imposes a new 3 percent employee contribution to help fund health insurance expenses. State workers already are underpaid and losing ground every year. Moreover, the KRS health insurance trust funds are a fiscal bright spot with improving cash flow and dramatically increasing funding ratios.

Finally, the conversion to a 401(k)-style plan will divert contributions from new employees from KRS to Wall Street. The legacy plans will still have to pay down the existing unfunded liabilities even as they are closed.

Yes, pensions must be addressed. The legislature failed in its duty to adequately fund pensions, with an inevitable result. We look forward to a vigorous discussion of revenue sources that address pension funding without betraying the promise to workers and retirees.